Coast to coast in a turbodiesel Smart using only 89 gallons of fuel
Here is a story from Wheels in Canada where two people, a father and his 14-year-old daughter drove from one end of Canada to the other, specifically from Halifax to Vancouver. No big deal, right? Wrong... they did it using only 89 gallons of diesel fuel. The vehicle used to generate this low fuel consumption was a last-generation Smart. You may be aware that we will be getting the newest version of the vehicle soon in the U.S. Unfortunately, we won't be getting the diesel version which was used in this trip. If you want it here, make sure to mention that when you pick up your new Smart. Anyway, click for more on this story, and pay special attention to all of the questions that the driver got from other drivers. As you can imagine, some concerns were present when it came to crossing the Rockies in a vehicle with all of 40 horsepower at its disposal, but it did just fine. Remember, despite lower horsepower figures, a diesel engine makes very good torque, the twisting power of the engine.
My favorite quote: "Too bad I was still getting looks from other drivers as if my fly was undone. And like the reaction from our construction friend Jason, we weren't quite sure if our Smart was generating responses of envy, ridicule or ignorance."
[Source: Wheels via Treehugger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mulad 2:23PM (7/09/2007)
41 or 42 miles per gallon (US).
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 2:57PM (7/09/2007)
I think the article means 89 gallons in Canada's system of measurement. Add about 20% to that for conversion in U.S. gallons. That would mean closer to 50 miles per gallon for the trip. Not bad considering they crossed the Rockies.
Jeremy
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ZapPow 3:34PM (7/09/2007)
337 liters make 89 american gallons, 75 british gallons.
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mikeinBuilding7 8:04PM (7/09/2007)
Why isn't the U.S. getting the Diesel?
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Tim 9:15PM (7/09/2007)
I drove my 10 year old, 90 hp, 3,000 lb 1997 VW Passat TDI Wagon from Vermont to Washington (3,000 miles) and got 49 mpg. The Smart diesel should be getting closer to 80 mpg.
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JamesWB 8:10AM (7/10/2007)
Yeah, four seater cars with more power can beat that mpg, not very impressive.
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esem 9:07AM (7/10/2007)
From site:
"Distance (Halifax to Vancouver): 6,168 km
Diesel fuel used (total): 337 litres
Average fuel consumption: 5L/100 km"
This makes an average of almost 5,5 l/100km, not 5. With such low speeds (less than 700 km/day this is a very big consumption for diesel Smart - it shows only the driver incapability to drive diesel economically. With such speed a "diesel capable" driver shold have an average consumption of 4 - 4.5 l/100 km. Not a big deal for a small european diesel.
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George Parrott 9:55AM (7/10/2007)
I just finished a road trip vacation of 3278 miles through from Sacramento, up the Oregon coast, then east to Glacier National Park, down to Yellowstone and back at "high speed" across Nevada in a 2007 Camry Hybrid....I used 83.1 gallons for a 39.45 mpg average in a "big 4-door sedan" with all the indulgent amenities.
George in Sacramento
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Kelly O'Brien 11:44AM (7/10/2007)
I have to say, I'm not too excited about the Smart. I saw quite a few on a trip to Vancouver recently and their neat city cars.
But, on a trip the one described, I'd be much happier in a Prius. Right now - summer - I'm getting about 51 mpg (US), which, if I calculate correctly, is about what the diesel Smart got on this trip.
Prius is safer, lower emissions, FAR more comfy and less noisy.
I DO applaud ANY effort to draw attention to fuel efficiency, so kudos to dad and daughter for their intrepid trip!
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Jamie 1:00PM (8/02/2007)
This is a great story and good publicity for saving fuel everywhere, congrats to father and daughter. Not sure why everyone feels the need to write back and criticize them. The distinct advantage of a diesel over a gas hybrid is that they can be run on Biodiesel. It's too bad the diesel version won't be coming to the US.
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